Is This the End of the Story?

In 1965, the movie, “The Greatest Story Ever Told” was released. Movie-goers thronged by the thousands to see this epic film. Like most stories of Jesus, this film chronicled the life of Jesus beginning with His unusual birth, and then moving to His 3-year ministry filled with its supernatural healings and strong teachings, and finally culminating with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. “The End”.

But is that really the end of the story? Most definitely not!

Many people think of the story of Jesus as beginning with Christmas and ending with Easter, but nothing could be farther from the truth! In fact, if all of human history was a theatrical production, in my version, we would only be in Act Two! The best is still yet to come!

Here is my breakdown of “The Greatest Story Ever Told”… the unabridged version!

• Prelude – The Old Testament
  • The Old Testament sets the scene for us and reveals the problem.
  • It starts with God’s perfect creation, and then sin is introduced into the world.
    • “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
    • “For the wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a
  • The problem now requires a solution, and of course, that solution is redemption.
    • “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” – Psalm 111:9

• Act One – The Life and Ministry of Jesus
  • The New Testament begins the life of Christ.
  • Virgin birth
    • “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
  • His 3-year ministry
    • “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” – Matthew 9:35
  • Crucifixion & Resurrection
    • “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” – 1 John 4:14
    • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

• Act Two – The Institution of the Church
  • The Great Commission
    • “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” – Matthew 28:19
    • “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15
  • The creation of the Church occurs in this section of the story.
  • We are actually principle players in this act as this part of the story is still unfolding in our lives.

• Intermission: The Rapture
  • An intermission is a break between key points of a story.
  • In a play, this is the time when people leave the theater and take a break.
  • The Biblical comparison of this event to a theatrical intermission are clear: Christians (those who have trusted Christ as their personal Saviour) will now be leaving the theater for a short time.
    • “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

• Act Three – The Tribulation 7-year Period
  • In this particular part of the story, God is executing judgment on the world for its sin and rejection of Christ.
    • “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” – Matthew 24:21

• Act Four – The Second Coming of Jesus
  • Here we finally arrive at the exciting climax of our story.
  • The battle intensifies between God and Satan until finally Jesus sets foot on earth again and establishes what is known as the “Millennial Kingdom”. This is the time when Jesus physically establishes His rule on earth from Jerusalem, binding Satan for 1000 years.
  • After the 1000 years, Satan is released and tries one last time to overthrow Jesus.
    • “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” – Revelation 20:7
  • Jesus defeats Satan once and for all. This is the final and complete solution to the initial problem.
    • “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” – Revelation 20:10

• Finale – Eternity Future
  • Now we come to the last chapter of the written story. The problem is completely solved. In our “story”, Satan has been defeated. Sin no longer has any influence on God’s creation.
  • Those who have rejected Jesus will spend their “eternity future” in hell, forever separated from God.
    • “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” – Matthew 25:46
    • “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” _ Revelation 20:15
  • Those who have trusted Christ as Saviour will begin their “eternity future” in heaven with the Lord.
    • “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:2-3
    • “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” – Revelation 21:3

So, is the story over now? Not even close! In fact, it should be renamed as “The Never-Ending Story” because our eternity with God will truly never end!

But like most movies that leave out some very important parts if they have been adapted from a book, my short synopsis is also just that. A brief summary of the most amazing story ever written! It is the story of God’s love, and to fully understand it, you must read the book!  There is so much more depth and clarity in the Bible! I could never even begin to share its treasures in my little blog. My deepest heartfelt recommendation for you is to read the Bible! I promise it will change your life!

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

I love to tell the story, ’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

(from “I Love to Tell the Story” by Arabella K. Hankey)

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4

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If you don’t know Christ as your Saviour, I’d love to introduce you to Him. Just send me a comment, and I will joyfully share with you how you can be saved from your sins and know without a doubt that your “eternity future” will be with God in heaven!